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The Vacant Chair

The Vacant Chair Broadside
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"The Vacant Chair," a song by George F. Root, became immensely popular in both North and South, although with different lyrics. The song was inspired by the death of Lt. John William ("Willie") Grout at Ball's Bluff. Grout, an eighteen-year-old student from Worcester, served in the 15th Mass. Infantry, another Bay State regiment all but destroyed in the battle.